Pleasure and Joy

 What is the difference between pleasure and joy ? Pleasure is a physical state that is derived from a sense of achievement. One works to earn money to enjoy the pleasures of what can be provided by the monetary benefits that one accumulates . Joy on the other hand is an unbridled emotional state of being . 

What then is the state that is better in the long run ? I should know considering that I have changed my career tracks more than once - it’s never been a change to earn more money and therefore gain more pleasure but more important has been the joy of the work I do and the contribution no matter how small to make the world a better place (soapbox ? - no . Fact I enjoy the work I do when I am sure it is making a difference no matter how small.. it could be saving time on a process or even something simpler just improving the quality of work being done by someone else) 

The teachers I had in school found joy in improving the knowledge of impressionable young kids not so much the ones I met in engineering college; those teacher just wanted to get through the day. Some of them derived pleasure in hauling up kids for no reason... What a huge difference. 

I derive pleasure daily by eating 75% dark chocolate and a strong arabica espresso amongst other pleasurable pursuits (huge dopamine kick); but the joy I derive has been for the last 20 so years driven by the impact my life and actions have had on my immediate family and others who would be stakeholders in the work or the activities that I do. 

It saddens me that we as a nation have reached a point where Joy is forgotten and pleasure has become more important . Pleasure in the misery of others misfortune is being broadcast 24/7 on all news channels and supposedly “educated “ people are willing to go hammer and tongs repeating the misery and finding pleasure in doing this. 

“Let my people awake...”- find joy ; share joy . In whatever mechanism that works for you. I for one will continue to strive to make a difference no matter how big or small and how uncomputable by calculus it is. 

C

The wonder of the brain

Have you ever got up in the middle of the night with a spark of genius- in simpler terms a solution to a problem you went to sleep thing about ? Did you ever think about where the solution came from ? Most standard accepted accounts say “the universe provides” or “the all mighty knows and helps in times of need” and a few more statements like these that in my opinion tend to belittle the power of the human mind. 

Thinking further this spark of genius is not limited to just the middle of the night.. it could happen at any time and we of course call it “inspiration” 

Well then what is the cause for this ? 

Most people tend to predominantly use one half of their brain (scientists have proven this) and people are bracketed as either left brain or right brain thinkers . Excellent another label to work with ;) . 

The spark of genius is theorised to happen when both half’s of the brain are in complete sync and ones dominant personality vanishes for that brief instance in time. History is full of inspiring folks and one common trait in them has been the stroke of their genius has been when both half’s of the brain are in sync. 

It takes a lot of effort to train one’s mind to be able to use both half’s at the same time and not leave it to some random chance. It’s taken me 30+ years after school to understand this simple idea. 

The idea is so simple and something that needs to be thought to kids as they grow up - essentially a new born baby uses both half’s (again scientifically proven) but we “loose” ourselves as we go through school and college finally forgetting this simple skill. 

Life is supposed to be a reflection of one’s thoughts- wouldn’t it be better if we used both half’s of the brain to think ? 

As always feedback welcome 

C

Arguments

The issue with the word argument is that it has a negative perception. The real meaning is that the word means “an exchange of diverging or opposite views “. Philosophical inquiry means that one has to argue different points of view within. This is a longer discussion better for another day. 

The thing I want to get at is the normal usage and normal situations of an argument. 

I can bet (if I were a betting man and would win) that most people consider arguing and arguments as a way to impose a point of view. Debates if well conducted and well articulated generally tend to validate this. The people in the debate generally use negative constructs to try and dismantle the opposite point of view - things like “ no, but” or “I differ” etc ... doesn’t help at all in winning the argument on the contrary it re-enforces the opinion that is held by the opposing view. The way to get things across is to argue with empathy I.e use a positive construct e.g “I understand, however “ is far better than “no,but”. This simple change diffuses the argument that is bing presented by your opponent. 

So simple , but lost to people in general. One could read this post as being negative in nature because of the choice of words and believe me I understand. It is so easy to fall into the trap of the negative construct. Just far too easy. I remember a few debates from school and one argument presented by a debater stands out for 2 reasons- 1st the empathy in the speech and 2nd the speaker’s languid nature of speaking. He was the best speaker in my opinion that day but was not part of the formal 2 vs 2 debate . Back to my post - arguments are what help us understand different points of view . The different points of view is what enriches our life’s and help us gain experience. 

Learning to argue well without the discourse breaking down into a slugfest is what is important- this is the difference between “worldly wise” and being “rash” . No amount of yelling or screaming will make a difference ; all that does is send the discussion into a slugfest. I miss the good arguments that used to happen on TV and am worried that kids will learn only the yelling and screaming given the mess on tv today. 

I hope I made a good argument ☺️

As always feedback appreciated 

C 

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Words ?

Verbal expressions are not easy; you see

Easier to pen them down to read

One tries hard to hide

The expressions sometime

Love, hurt, care; are simple words

They don’t capture the emotion one feels

At times the word one says

Make a mess of the emotions in sway

Oh how easy it would be

If the words mean what you see

No matter what you say

No one will see it that way

Chase those demons away

Say what you feel that way

Emotions come and go

Words linger on

Words are a flux

Mind meld is a must

Till such time; capture the essence

Use words as a fragrance

... C